--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Before I got into stand-up, I was a…" description: "\"Before I got into stand-up, I was a really quiet guy who had all these thoughts, all these things I wanted to say, but there was never anyplace for me ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03b/carlos-mencia-2630_better_before-i-got-into-stand-up-i-was-a-reall_2140257.png" --- # Before I got into stand-up, I was a really quiet guy who… ![“Before I got into stand-up, I was a really quiet guy who had all these thoughts, all these things I wanted to say, but there was never anyplace for me to say them because my mom would look at me and go, 'You better not say what you're thinking. You better not.'” quote by Carlos Mencia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03b/carlos-mencia-2630_better_before-i-got-into-stand-up-i-was-a-reall_2140257.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03b/carlos-mencia-2630_better_before-i-got-into-stand-up-i-was-a-reall_2140257.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03b/carlos-mencia-2630_better_before-i-got-into-stand-up-i-was-a-reall_2140257.png) > “Before I got into stand-up, I was a really quiet guy who had all these thoughts, all these things I wanted to say, but there was never anyplace for me to say them because my mom would look at me and go, 'You better not say what you're thinking. You better not.'” [Carlos Mencia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-mencia/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Suppressing thoughts for fear of judgment stifles authentic expression; speak truthfully. **In simple terms:** Don’t hide your thoughts. Key Takeaway Speak your mind. Themes self‑expression family dynamics creativity Mood candid inspirational Type motivational personal growth When to use this quote - public speaking - writing - personal relationships Key Concepts authenticity psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can you create safe spaces for honest dialogue? - What would you say if fear vanished? A Different Perspective Family pressure can cause lasting self‑censorship. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Mom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mom/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts/) ## Related quotes > [I did a film when I was about 30; it's a coming of age story called 'Gas Food Lodging,' and I'm so proud of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-knepper/i-did-a-film-when-i-was-about-30-it-s-a-coming-of-age-story-called/) [Robert Knepper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-knepper/) > [When I was at the Performance Center, I was super hated for probably two or three months because I'm a quiet guy. I'm very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-drake/when-i-was-at-the-performance-center-i-was-super-hated-for-probably/) [Eli Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-drake/) > [It's not like I'm an introvert. You get to know me, I can have a conversation with you. But in front of the media,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrek-lee/it-s-not-like-i-m-an-introvert-you-get-to-know-me-i-can-have-a/) [Derrek Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrek-lee/) > [I think people are worried about leadership and me being a pretty quiet guy. But I would say I'm not too quiet. I'll talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-herbert/i-think-people-are-worried-about-leadership-and-me-being-a-pretty/) [Justin Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-herbert/) > [I am a really nice, quiet guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandar-mitrovic/i-am-a-really-nice-quiet-guy/) [Aleksandar Mitrovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandar-mitrovic/) > [Don't get me wrong, I'm a quiet guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyler-murray/don-t-get-me-wrong-i-m-a-quiet-guy/) [Kyler Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyler-murray/) > [Online, I'm this loud, outrageous, confident guy who acts like nothing bothers him, and he has the whole world at his fingertips. In reality,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-dawson/online-i-m-this-loud-outrageous-confident-guy-who-acts-like-nothing/) [Shane Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-dawson/) > [I'm actually a pretty quiet guy when it comes to fighting. I'm pretty serious. When I go out to fight people I'm not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-benavidez/i-m-actually-a-pretty-quiet-guy-when-it-comes-to-fighting-i-m-pretty/) [Joseph Benavidez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-benavidez/) > [I'm kind of a quiet guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-schauffele/i-m-kind-of-a-quiet-guy/) [Xander Schauffele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-schauffele/) > [I'm a quiet guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-janikowski/i-m-a-quiet-guy/) [Sebastian Janikowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-janikowski/) > [“I thought he was a quiet guy. Then I found out he is a mute, and then I knew he was a quiet guy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-thought-he-was-a-quiet-guy-then-i-found-out-he-is-a-mute-and-then-i/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“The eyes really were the windows to the soul, and Quiet Guy’s was no longer home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pippa-dacosta/the-eyes-really-were-the-windows-to-the-soul-and-quiet-guy-s-was-no/) [Pippa DaCosta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pippa-dacosta/) > [I'm just a quiet guy who loved to fight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbie-lawler/i-m-just-a-quiet-guy-who-loved-to-fight/) [Robbie Lawler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbie-lawler/) > [Off the court, it's not very natural. I'm more of a quiet guy, but I have to change it a bit and become a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/domantas-sabonis/off-the-court-it-s-not-very-natural-i-m-more-of-a-quiet-guy-but-i/) [Domantas Sabonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/domantas-sabonis/) > [I'm a quiet guy, but on the pitch, it's different. You have to do everything you can to win and help your teammates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-torres/i-m-a-quiet-guy-but-on-the-pitch-it-s-different-you-have-to-do/) [Fernando Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-torres/) ## More by Carlos Mencia > [Nobody calls me a racist when I do redneck jokes. Jeff Foxworthy can do as many 'You might be a redneck jokes' as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-mencia/nobody-calls-me-a-racist-when-i-do-redneck-jokes-jeff-foxworthy-can/) [Carlos Mencia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-mencia/) > [I am frail like everyone else, and I take that into account when I talk about things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-mencia/i-am-frail-like-everyone-else-and-i-take-that-into-account-when-i/) [Carlos Mencia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-mencia/) > [People live in a place called Tornado Alley - and they're surprised when they get hit by a tornado. I'm sorry when they get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-mencia/people-live-in-a-place-called-tornado-alley-and-they-re-surprised/) [Carlos Mencia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-mencia/) > [When I was younger, I was angry. I was boisterous and loud. I was on top of the mountain, screaming at everybody, 'Look at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-mencia/when-i-was-younger-i-was-angry-i-was-boisterous-and-loud-i-was-on-top/) [Carlos Mencia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-mencia/) > [When you are younger, you pretend to believe, but you are proving it to everyone and to yourself. The change comes when you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-mencia/when-you-are-younger-you-pretend-to-believe-but-you-are-proving-it-to/) [Carlos Mencia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-mencia/) > [Here's what I know about the business I am in. It's all based on money. It's all based on ratings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-mencia/here-s-what-i-know-about-the-business-i-am-in-it-s-all-based-on-money/) [Carlos Mencia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-mencia/) > [I've gotten in trouble with every race you can imagine. They say, 'I can't believe you talked about this - you're racist.' 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But if you can't, then deal with things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-mencia/my-comedy-is-about-lift-yourself-see-reality-change-the-reality-if/) [Carlos Mencia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-mencia/) > [I can't imagine how unbelievable it would be to go to the Great Barrier Reef.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-mencia/i-can-t-imagine-how-unbelievable-it-would-be-to-go-to-the-great/) [Carlos Mencia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-mencia/) > [The beauty of not growing up middle class is that you don't think like the middle class. You don't have anything to protect, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-mencia/the-beauty-of-not-growing-up-middle-class-is-that-you-don-t-think/) [Carlos Mencia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-mencia/) > [I'm not good looking, but I'm not bad looking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-mencia/i-m-not-good-looking-but-i-m-not-bad-looking/) [Carlos Mencia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-mencia/) > [I choose to live in a positive world and a positive presence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-mencia/i-choose-to-live-in-a-positive-world-and-a-positive-presence/) [Carlos Mencia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-mencia/) > [I'm a spiritual person: I believe that if you read the Bible, you get what you want from it. 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The Better it Gets !!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-stanyer/the-little-you-give-the-better-it-gets/) [Mario Stanyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-stanyer/) > [A strong, durable Puerto Rican economy will leave the island better prepared to handle future natural disasters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/a-strong-durable-puerto-rican-economy-will-leave-the-island-better/) [Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/) > [In my first 100 days as Ontario's Minister of Transportation, I found a willing municipal partner in the City of Toronto that shares our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-mulroney/in-my-first-100-days-as-ontario-s-minister-of-transportation-i-found/) [Caroline Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-mulroney/) > [It hasn't been a conscious thing, like, 'I don't want to listen to a bunch of dudes,' but I genuinely like music by women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soccer-mommy/it-hasn-t-been-a-conscious-thing-like-i-don-t-want-to-listen-to-a/) [Soccer Mommy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soccer-mommy/) > [Life is going to hit you some line drives, and sometimes you'll have to think fast. 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I look at last year and my whole goal is to be a better player…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-williams/i-never-really-look-at-it-past-one-year-i-look-at-last-year-and-my/) [Trent Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-williams/) Browse all 17,085 Better quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Before I got into stand-up, I was a really quiet guy who had all these thoughts, all these things I wanted to say, but there was never anyplace for me to say them because my mom would look at me and go, 'You better not say what you're thinking. 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